NCJ Number
130823
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This survey of family-member survivors of homicide victims focuses on their needs, their reactions to the criminal justice system, and improved services to them.
Abstract
Family-member survivors of homicide victims encompass the victim's grandparents, parents, siblings, spouse, children, or grandchildren; and the victims include those killed in criminal homicide and alcohol-related vehicular homicide. Stage one of the survey was part of ongoing national opinion surveys. Data collected in this stage permitted estimation of the prevalence of surviving family members of criminal and alcohol-related vehicular homicide victims within the U.S. adult population. In stage two of the study, surviving family members and a comparison group of nonvictims completed a telephone interview that obtained information on current psychological adjustment, fear of and perceived vulnerability to crime, the use of behavioral self-protection strategies, support for victim services, and attitudes about the most appropriate criminal justice treatment of criminal versus alcohol-related homicides. Victim survivors were also interviewed on details of the homicide and their experiences and satisfaction with the handling of the case by the criminal justice system. Findings show that approximately 1 out of 10 adults in the United States has lost a family member, other relative or close friend to homicide. Most family members were extremely dissatisfied with the criminal justice system as they viewed it as treating defendants significantly better than victims' families. Post-traumatic stress was experienced by a significant number of family members. Recommendations for improving services to family members of homicide victims are offered. 7 references